HIAS Statement on Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, Five Years Later

Five years ago today, three Jewish congregations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were attacked, in part, for their support for welcoming refugees. Eleven people were killed in what is considered the worst attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.

On this solemn yahrzeit, HIAS pledges to carry their memory forward, alongside the victims of all hate-motivated violence. We join communities and congregations of all faiths and backgrounds who have been the victims of such attacks, in their grief and resilience, their healing, and their hope.

In the years that have passed since the attack in Pittsburgh, acts of violent extremism have been on the rise in the United States and abroad, particularly in the wake of the attacks in Israel on October 7. It is now painfully clear that each of us must recognize the humanity in one another, to stand against xenophobia, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate. 

Five years ago, HIAS made a commitment that we would not be deterred, and we would continue to stand firmly for the rights of refugees and immigrants around the world, to welcome them with love, and to work for a world that is more just and compassionate. We live into that commitment every day, and we do so with our partners at Jewish Family and Community Services, and the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community, in our hearts.

May their memories be for the brightest blessing. And may we all work for a better future.

In Memory:

Joyce Fienberg

Richard Gottfried

Rose Mallinger

Jerry Rabinowitz

Cecil Rosenthal

David Rosenthal

Bernice Simon

Sylvan Simon

Daniel Stein

Melvin Wax

Irving Younger